While the messaging service continues to develop an other login method, WhatsApp has started testing a new feature that lets users add their email address to the app on iOS and Android smartphones. Additionally, WhatsApp has been seen developing the feature to exchange polls within channels. Before the feature ever makes its way onto the beta testing channel, a feature tracker has released information about how voting in WhatsApp groups would operate.

Currently, users can use WhatsApp to access their account by providing their phone number and getting a one-time password (OTP). As an alternative to logging in to their account, users of the Meta-run messaging service can now enter and verify their email address on the WhatsApp beta for iOS 2.23.23.77 and Android 2.23.24.10 (via feature tracker WABetaInfo). Additionally, users are notified that their email will be kept private and hidden from other users.

The feature tracker indicates that utilizing an email address to log in will function as a substitute for getting an SMS with a login OTP. When a user is traveling and does not have an international roaming mobile plan, this can be quite helpful. To start utilizing the service, users will still need to supply a phone number.

You can visit the WhatsApp settings menu and select Account > Email Address to add your email address to your account. You will be required to validate your email address after entering it to ensure that it is actually yours. The email address field is present in the most recent WhatsApp beta version available from the Google Play store.

In the meantime, WABetaInfo also noticed a new feature that is presently being developed and should eventually make its way into the app’s beta versions. According to the feature tracker, WhatsApp is working on a feature that would allow users to share polls on channels. However, the feature will function a little differently, as user privacy will be protected by hiding user votes.

Right now, WhatsApp simply lets you share an already-existing image from your smartphone or take a picture and upload it to your channel. After being tested, the feature to add a poll to a WhatsApp message is anticipated to make an appearance in a later beta version of the app, which will be followed by an update on the stable channel.